Fringe benefits

I sort of have a thing for great bangs...however I also think that bangs are a client's personal preference.  As long as you stay within some parameters according to your face shape, feel free to wear them if you like them!

 Some things to consider when cutting bangs are...  

• The shape of your face
• The strongest features of your face
• Balance of your face
• Your general hairstyle

Okay, let's go through these points.

The shape of your face

Round:  This shape of face usually has softer features and is as wide as it is long.  Since this shape is balanced, round faces can usually wear most any bang.  I prefer a bang that is right in between a blunt and a side swept bang.  One with soft textured edges that you can wear full or to the side.

Square/rectangle:  Square faces are characterized as being as wide as they are long, but with stronger more angular features and jawlines.  This shape does NOT do well with a blunt, straight bang.  That makes square faces look more boxy.  Instead, try a long bang that is very textured and skims the brows while sweeping to the side.   This softens strong angles and creates a more balanced look.

Photo courtesy of www.about.com

Heart/diamond:  These faces are typically wider at the cheekbone and have a more angular chin.  The difference between a heart shape and a diamond shape face is the heart shape usually has a widow's peak at the hairline.  This shape needs to have a long, angular bang as well.  The shortest piece should start around the arch of the eyebrow heading longer toward the outside of the eye.  This draws attention downward toward the eyes and balances out the width of the cheekbone.

photo courtesy of www.about.com

Oval/oblong:  This shape is one that is longer than it is wide.  Luckily, oval faces can wear almost any bang.  A blunt, straight heavy bang can look great because it adds some width, and a side swept short or long bang can look nice as well.  The sky is the limit often with oval faces because they can usually look good with most hairstyles!  

Click here for a guide to determine your face shape!

 Strongest Facial Features

Take into account your features when choosing the right bang for you.  A straight full bang can draw attention to a strong nose, however they can really highlight striking eyes!  

Notice how the full bang really makes her nose stand out but the softer long bang doesn't!

Maybe you have small features and a bang or too much hair around your face may drown them out.  

Balance of your face

Faces are divided into three horizontal zones:

•  The hairline to the bridge of the nose
• The bridge of the nose to below the nostrils
• Below the nostrils to the bottom of the chin

Typically a face has one zone that is larger than the other two.  If this larger zone happens to be the first zone (forehead), bangs are probably a great option for camouflaging and balancing this area.  Depending on your face shape, you can choose the bang that is right for you.  However, you probably don't want to have them too short.  

Small foreheads can also be balanced with bangs but be careful again to not cut them too short.  This can cause the forehead to look even smaller!

Your general hairstyle

Bangs are a fabulous way to personalize your look.  Nearly every hairstyle can incorporate bangs to give  it an edge or change it up for something different.  

I have many long haired clients that often want something different but don't want to cut any length off.  Bangs are a great option for them and it makes them feel fresh and updated while still having the length they love!  Bangs create a point of interest around the face for clients who often have to wear their hair in a ponytail or an up-style.  

Here are some bangs that I love!!!

Don't be afraid to try bangs, just know what bang is going to be right for you!!  

Winner, Winner!!!

The winner of the giveaway for the

  Aveda Hair Potion is.......

Simply Sara said...

My Fav hair product right now is called Aquage, and it's a silkening hair treatment. It works wonders. I could have a new Fav though, hehe....

Maybe you will have a new fave product now!!!

Email me...sterria2@aol.com

and I will get you your fabulous prize!!!

Put the pencil down

Are you a person that is a slave to the eyebrow pencil?  Do you apply it everyday in order for your face to have an outline?  If only your eyebrows were a color that showed even when you don't have any makeup on!  Well my friends, that can be a reality!

I now offer eyebrow and eyelash tinting!  Using a specially formulated color for the eye area, you can have beautifully colored brows and lashes in less than 20 minutes!  While your hair color is processing, why not use that time to perfectly match your brow color to your hair color?  This service really gives you a polished, finished look.

Check out my 'discounts' page for a special I am running for brow tinting this week!

Giveaway!!!

To celebrate my new blog, I have decided to do a giveaway!!  I highlighted the

 Aveda Hair Potion

  earlier this week, and I would love to send one to a lucky person!!

Here's how to enter:

Leave a comment telling me about your favorite hair product...1 entry

Become a follower...1 entry

Blog about this giveaway...1 entry

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry!
Giveaway ends on Sunday June 19th!

Get the word out and good luck!

Hot Product

Today I wanted to highlight one of my all-time favorite products...Aveda Hair Potion. 

Photo courtesy of amylynnlarwig.com

 This stuff is magic!  It is a powder that turns into a lotion with a little friction.  You dispense a small amount on to your root area wherever you want volume and emulsify it in with your fingers to create the perfect texture!  It works on all hair types, and is so versatile!  

Instantly, this product thickens hair up to 17%!  It contains natural bulking ingredients like kaolin clay and acacia gum.  

If you don't like to wash your hair everyday, you know that the best hair day is the second day!  This product gives you 'second day' hair right away!  What is so great is, on your second day when you do have an area that feels a little oily, you can sprinkle some Hair Potion there and it will also absorb some excess oil!  

I love it for upstyles when you just need a little 'grip' on a section as well!

You can use it on dry hair (recommended) or you can use it on damp hair for great volume with your blowout.

One thing you should be aware of is to try not to shake the bottle.  The powder will liquify in its own container.  Liquified product does still work but it is harder to dispense.  I turn the product over and give it a tap-tap on the bottom while moving across the section I am applying it to and it dispenses perfectly.  I have found that a tap-tap works better than a shake-shake!

Hair Potion has a price point of $24 and can be found at any Aveda Concept Salon like Nicholls & Company in Ogden, Utah!

Stop by for you 'magic' Potion today!!!

Trend Watch: Ombre Color

Here is a trend that I think most of us can get onboard with!  It's easy.  It's lasts longer than a traditional color.  It's foolproof.  Okay, it's not foolproof but almost anyone can wear it.

***WARNING***
If you are one of those clients who wish your stylist could inject color into your scalp in order to get it as close as possible to avoid any hint of grow out whatsoever, this color trend is NOT for you.

That being said, let's check out what makes it so fabulous!!

This color is defined by a darker color at the base that fades into a lighter color towards the midshaft and ends.

 photo courtesy of People.com

 Photo courtesy of People.com

I especially like this look for blonde hair.  

Notice how the color around her face is darker.  It really brings color into her face!  I am naturally pretty blonde myself and have been every shade of blonde there is by way of bleach and color.  I often find that  I can get 'washed out' by being too blonde and having very fair skin.  A little depth in the base color avoids that.  

 photo courtesy of People.com

The best part about this color technique for the client is that it already looks slightly grown out so you actually can get away with having some 'roots'.  If you do need a color, you can possibly just get a retouch on your new growth and leave your ends alone.  This saves time, money and wear and tear on the length of your hair. 

 photo unknown

I love this color!  The highlights in just the front pieces are beautiful!

Photo courtesy of Loxxsalon.com

photo unknown

So hop on board the ombre train!  Come on, everybody's doing it! :)